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TV Licensing Offers Refunds Up to £174 as Licence Fee Could Rise Next Year

The final 2026 fee remains unconfirmed by ministers, with an inflation link pointing to just over £181 based on September’s 3.8% CPI.

Overview

  • Eligible households that cancelled or have unused months can claim pro‑rata refunds, with at least one full month required on the licence.
  • Roughly 300,000 households scrapped licences last year in favour of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
  • The standard colour TV licence is currently £174.50, and calculations based on CPI indicate a potential increase to about £181 in April.
  • Ministry of Justice figures show 76 people were awaiting trial for licence fee non‑payment as of November 6, underscoring continued enforcement.
  • Concessions include free licences for over‑75s on Pension Credit and discounts for blind people, care‑home residents and those in shared accommodation.